Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies
Number of reporting segments (as a number)			3
Steel Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Percentage of external net sales (as a percent)	61.00%	60.00%	60.00%	61.00%
Metals Recycling and Ferrous Resources Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Percentage of external net sales (as a percent)	35.00%	36.00%	36.00%	35.00%
Steel Fabrication Operations
Segment Reporting Information
Percentage of external net sales (as a percent)	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%	2.00%